We are planning a day trip to Canterbury during our March trip to London. We will be staying close to Paddington. Can someone tell me the best way to get there by train? I think it may leave from Victoria, but I just want to pin it down. Thanks - Bill
Posted by
Charlotte, NC, USA
3428 posts
From
paddington take the tube- circle line- to Victoria. Walk from tube to mainline train station (just follow the crowd and then the signs). You will love Canterbury.
Posted by
Ojai, CA
591 posts
The quickest way to travel from London to Canterbury is by train. The journey takes about 1 hour 30 minutes, leaving from either Charing Cross or Victoria station. Note that there are two train stations in Canterbury (called Canterbury West and Canterbury East), but it is easy to walk into the town from either of these.
Posted by
Vancouver, BC, Canada
21 posts
One of our highlights of Canterbury was attending 5:30pm Evensong service at the cathedral (by donation) before heading back to London on the train.
There are lots of grocery shops near the cathedral and we were able to pick up some yummy things to enjoy on the train after the service.
Even with catching a late train back, we were at our B&B before 9pm following a fun, full day.
You might want to consider what we did: we caught an early train to Dover where we caught a taxi (GBP7) to Dover Castle where we spent a facinating morning exploring the ancient castle PLUS the Secret Wartime Tunnels that were built into the white cliffs of Dover. We walked back to the train station (30 minutes...),caught a train to Canterbury (only 15 minutes away), and then spent a great afternoon.
Posted by
Bromley, Kent,, UK
1829 posts
If you travel by train don't forget that your train tickets will entitle you to the 2 for 1 entrance charge at the Cathedral. And, if you follow Helen's advice, Dover Castle as well. A tip when visiting the Castle, book the war tunnel tour when you arrive. The later you leave it the less choice you have and may find the earliest availability is too late for your plans.
http://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/attraction-types/landmarks.aspx?county=kent&page=
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
You can now get to Canterbury faster from London St Pancras using the new fast trains that run along the same high-speed route Eurostar uses. For instance, you can leave London at 0940 and get to Canterbury at 1039. That route is more expensive, though. See www.southeasternrailway.co.uk for details.